CONTINUATION OF WANT OF CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIII, Issue 9464, 29 July 1881, Page 2

CONTINUATION OF WANT OF CONFIDENCE DEBATE.

The No-confidence debate was resume by Dr Wallis. He complained that by the action of the whips on both sides in fixing the division for that night they had placed members who still desired to speak at a disadvantage. He denied the statement set up that Maori lands had not been benefited by the public works expenditure, and should not therefore pay rates. The fact was that these lands before the advent of European enterprise were not worth a farthing per acre, whereas they had now acquired a good round market value. That of itself was an answer to the objection referred to. He had no desire to see the Government turned out this session, or to precipitate a dissolution. Still he had no confidence in the Government as constituted. He would therefore vote against the motion and at the same time he would continue in opposition to the Government. Tomoana complained that justice had not been done the Maoris, and intimated his intention of opposing the Government. Mr Joxes said that the local bodies throughout the whole colony were discontented with the proposals now before them, and with the present state of affairs. The Local Public Works Board would operate most inconveniently for the local bodies, and its proposed constitution was of such a nature that it was bound to demoralise the House. At present both he and his colleagues knew from experience that it was only the supporters of Government who could get the reasonable requirements of their districts attended to, and under the provisions of the Bill that evil would be perpetuated and increased. Interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. Evening Sitting. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. Mr Jones continued the debate. He blamed Major Atkinson for taking advantage of the failure of the GlasgowBank to aggravate the financial difficulties of the colony. He thought that the maintenance of such a large force on the West Coast was unnecessary, there being no further danger of a Native war. He accused members of the force there of moral improprieties. He very strongly condemned the action of Government with regard to the telegiaph strikers, and of the manner in which reductions of the Police Force were carried out. He challenged Ministers to allow an inquiry into these reductions. The Patetere business was also one which Government should be ashamed of. Were it inquired into such facts would would be elicited as would bring a blush into the cheeks of even a Boss Tweed. Although they might not be turned out this night, the time was not far distant when, by their own act, Ministers would sink into political graves, unwept, unhonoured, and unknown. Mr Pyke said the House having considerately waited for him to return from the South he felt bound to express his views. He held that the country demanded an extensive measure of reform in local government, and large extension of powers to local bodies. The powers of County Councils were now no larger than those of parish vestries. People had expected a remedy but were disappointed. Even sufficient funds to perform their narrow functions were denied them. If Government had improved their treasury balance it was by whai; he must term political robbery and violence. This was particularly the case in the ten per cent, reduction. The Natives were no more satisfied than the Europeans with the present Government. This was shown by the Native members unanimously opposing their proposals. He strongly condemned the provisions of the Rating Bill and Hoad Construction Bill. The country would not, and could not, be governed from Wellington alone. Decentralisation was imperative. It was not his business to propose a policy. That was the duty of the Government. He was not at all frightened by the threat of dissolution. He would like to see them all sent to the country, for it to express its opinion on the question of local government. He did not care for any side issue. He was not called on to declare confidence in the member for Clive. He was quite prepared to declare he tad no confidence in the member for Selwn. He strongly condemned the delay in bringing down important measures like the Redistribution and Railway Bills, and wasting time over useless matters until it would be too late to deal with the real business. Then no doubt Ministers would endeavour to throw the blame on what they would call a factious opposition. He would vote for the amendment, and if its effect was an ignominious withdrawal of the Government Bills then it would not have been been brought forward in vain, nor would the time have been wasted. If not strong enough to turn Ministers out, the : Opposition were strong enough to perform their legitimate functions, and prevent them doing mischief. Mr Seddon complained that they had far too much legislation and too little common sense. He would propose that one local body called the Local Council should be constituted, with power to administer allmatters,police,education, survey, railways, prisons, mines, and justice, excepted ; the boundaries of their districts to be fixed by commission, the present Provincial Districts subdivided, and Waste Lands Boards established in each, the members thereof to be elected by their sub-districts or ridings. He supported the Rating Bill, but found fault with the Road Construction Bill. He concluded by saying that he would vote for the amendment, in order to send the House as soon as possible to the country. Mr J. B. Fisher said the issue was one between centralisation and decentralisation To a great extent he agreed with Sir George Grey's proposals, even to the extent of making Magistrates elective. The scandals of having men who were notorious evil-livers, or over head and ears in debt, would not then exist. The people would elect men in whom they had confidence to dispense justice. He criticised and condemned the provisions of the Rating Bill and Road Construction Bill. The latter was one of the most vicious measures ever submitted to a Parliament. He said the Board was to fix the design of its seal. He would suggest one — The Colonial Treasurer as the Board enthroned on high, with the daughters of the horseleech prostrate around crying " give," and for a motto the words ' ' Bribery and Corruption. ' ' He did not believe Government really intended that any Redistribution Bill should pass this session. Question put, That the Crown aul NaLl/e Lands Rating Bill be now read a second time. The House divided, with the following result : — Ayes, 41 — Messsrs Aliwright, Atkinson, Bain, Beetham, Bowen. Brandon,

Bryce, Bunny, Colbeck, Dick, Fox, Fulton, Gibbs, Hall, H. Hirst, W. J. Hurst, Hurßthouse, Johnston, Kelly, Kenny, Levin, Mason, McCaughan, Murray, Pitt, Eichardson, Eolleston, Eussell, Saunders, Seymour, Shanks, Studholme, Sutton, Swanson, Trimble, Wakefield, Weston, J Whitaker, Wbyte, and Wright. Noes, 37 — Messrs Andrews, Ballance, Barron, Brown, DeLautour, Finn, J. B. Fisher, J. T. Fisher, George, Gisborne, Grey, Hainlin, Harris, Hutchison, Jones, Levestam, Lundon, Macandrew, McDonald, Montgomery, Moss, Ormond, Pyke, Reeves, Reid, Seddon, Sheehan, Shrimski, Speight, Taiaroa, Tawhai, Te Wheoro, Thomson, Tole, Turnbull, Wallis, Wood. Pairs — Ayes : McLean, Olliver, Moorhouse, Collins. Noes : Stewart, Bastings, Toinoana, Shepherd. Mr Lundon stated that having voted with his party against the Bill he would now, for the benefit of his constituents, vote for the Bill. Mr Barron hoped, if the Bill were read a second time, its provisions would be considerably altered in Committee. The Bill was read a second time. Major Atkinson moved, That it be committed to-morrow fortnight. Mr De LatJTOUR asked if this was an indication that the Bill was to be withdrawn. If so they should say so at once, and not waste further time. Messrs Moss and Speight spoke to the same effect. Mi Seddon moved, That it be committed to-morrow week. He should now support the Bill. After some further discussion, Major Atkinson said that of course the Opposition always knew better how to conduct Government business than the Government did. As long as they were on those benches, however, they intended to conduct their business their own way. The Bill was ordered to be committed to-morrow fortnight. The House rose at 12.30 a.m.